Anthurium plant named `Passion`

ABSTRACT

An Anthurium plant named Passion having abundant magenta pink flowers which gradually fade to light pink. The flowers are held above the foliage. The plant flowers early, and attains a marketable size quickly. The leaves are medium green, glossy and durable. The plant habit is branched, upright and compact. It is tolerant to heat.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofAnthurium, botanically known as Anthurium hybrid, and referred to by thecultivar name Passion.

The new cultivar is a product of a breeding program carried out by theinventors Ann E. Lamb and Robert D. Hartman in Palmdale, Fla. Theseedling is a result of a cross made by the inventors between unknownparents in Palmdale, Fla. The cultivar was discovered from the progenyof the stated cross by Ann E. Lamb. Tissue culture was used to increasethe number of plants for evaluation and has demonstrated the stabilityof the combination of characteristics of Passion from generation togeneration.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Homestead, Fla. under shade-house conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in horticultural practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristicswhich in combination distinguish Passion from other Anthuriums of thesame general type, for example, the cultivar Pink Aristocrat disclosedin U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,441, to which comparative reference is made.

1. The plant produces abundant magenta pink flowers which gradually fadeto pink.

2. The flowers are held above the foliage.

3. The leaves are medium green, with a glossy surface, and are durable.

4. The plant habit is compact, branched and upright.

5. The plant begins flowering early, attaining marketable size quickly.

6. The plant is heat tolerant.

All color references are measured against the Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart. Colors are approximate as color depends onhorticultural practices such as light level and fertilization rate,among others, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The color photographic drawing comprises a top perspective view of theinflorescence and foliage of a plant of Passion in a 15.3 cm potapproximately 28 weeks after planting a 20 week old liner obtained bytissue culture and grown under appropriate growing conditions. Colorsare as accurate as possible with color illustrations of this type.

Origin: Seedling of unknown parentage.

Classification: Anthurium hybrid, cv, Passion.

Propagation: Asexual production either by tissue culture or division.

Plant: In a 15.3 cm pot for a plant grown from a 20 week old liner after28 weeks under appropriate growing conditions, Passion reaches a maturesize of approximately 20 cm. to 25 cm. in height and approximately 35 cmto 46 cm. in width.

Leaves.--Form: The leaf blade is ovate with a cuspidate tip and anobtuse to truncate base. The margins are entire. The midrib tends tocurve somewhat downward over the length of the leaf. The leaf blade isflat. Size: Leaf blades of a mature sized plant are approximately 13 cmto 15 cm in length and approximately 6.6 cm to 7.3 cm in width. Petiole:The petiole is approximately 17.1 cm to 18.4 cm in height from the baseof the petiole to the base of the leaf blade on the primary shoot.Secondary shoots are somewhat smaller depending on the age of the shoot.The petiole is approximately 2.5 mm in diameter just below thegeniculum. The petiole below the geniculum is straight. Petiole Wings:Petiole wings are approximately 8.5 mm in length and approximately 3 mmin width at their midpoint. The tip of the petiole wing is rounded.There is approximately 14.3 cm to 16.5 cm between the top of the wingand the base of the geniculum. Geniculum: The geniculum is approximately19 mm to 22 mm in length, approximately 3 mm in diameter, and is oftencurved. The color is 144 A. There is no space between the top of thegeniculum and the base of the leaf blade. Veins: Veins are sunken, withthe leaf blade slightly convex between veins on the upper surface. Themidrib protrudes from the upper surface of the leaf for approximatelytwo-thirds the length of the leaf. Well-defined primary veins on leavesradiate out from the juncture of the petiole and the leaf. Veins standout prominently on the lower side. There are approximately 4-6 primaryveins on the leaf. Lobes: The leaf has two rounded lobes which do notextend past the petiole. The distance from the petiole/leaf juncture tothe highest point on the lobes is approximately 2.7 cm to 3.0 cm.Colors: Upper surface: 137A. Lower surface: 146B. Midrib, upper surface:144A. Midrib, lower surface: 146D. Petiole: Darker than, but closest to,144A. Petiole wing: 145A.

Inflorescence:

Immature: The spathe is tightly rolled around the spadix and extrudesfrom the petiole sheath. The spathe is fully open approximately when thepedicel is fully elongated, about 22 cm to 27 cm above the soil surface.

Mature.--Spathe: Size: The flattened spathe is approximately 3.7 cm to5.1 cm long and approximately 2.7 cm to 3.8 cm in width. Color: Fullyopen: Upper surface 66D; Lower surface 51D. Faded: Upper surface 49C-D;Lower surface 19 D with streaks of 146C. Arrangement: The spathe standsup on straight wiry pedicels and opens vertically above the leaves.Shape: The spathe is ovate with a cordate base and a cuspidate tip. Itis slightly cupped, with a wavy margin when first open, but flattens asit ages. Flowering time: After approximately 7 months from a 20 week oldliner for an untreated plant as illustrated in sheet 1 and depending onseason, approximately 6 to 8 blossoms will be present. Smaller blossomsmay occur on less mature growth. First flowers are typically producedapproximately 3-4 months after planting a 20 week old liner.Approximately 1 to 3 flowers are present.

Reproductive organs:

Spadix.--Size: Approximately 2.7 cm to 5.5 cm in height andapproximately 5 mm to 6 mm in width. Color: When the spathe unrolls, thespadix is pinker than, but closest to 79D, gradully changing to 63D.Stamens: Anthers and filaments are not clearly visible. Pollen: White incolor. Pistil: 78D in color, protruding between the staminate flowers,firmly fixed to the main axil. The pistilate flowers extendapproximately 0.2 mm beyond the staminate flowers.

Roots: White fleshy roots with fine laterals.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Anthurium plant namedPassion, as illustrated and described.